Go West

What a vacation! It's always been a win-win thing for me to go out west. Loved being in WA state. And now? It's taken me awhile to adjust to life back in NC (time change and all) after being gone for almost two weeks. Best thing to help with returning was heading back to the studio. :)

While at Holden Village, at the wheel and experienced with a clay that was part porcelain and loved that! Here are six pieces I made in a couple of days that were fired on Wednesday. Had a new observer too. Check out the deer in the distance.


The studio itself was beautiful, nestled in the Cascade Mountains.

At the last minute, I stayed up past midnight to make one more tumbler for the kiln, here shown as the third on the left of the pieces on the fence with the gorgeous backdrop which turned out to be one of my favorite piece. I really like that form and the blue glaze on it. The glazes at Holden Village had to be painted on with the exception of the blue; which was different for me. I painted them on too thick; it was disappointing. The backdrop is beautiful, though. I don't think there is a more beautiful place to throw pottery.

So, all in all I had a refreshing and relaxing time. The weather in WA state is the best; dry and not too hot. Read two books in a week... and loved being in the Cascade Mountains.

Only thing I would have wanted to change about vacation was to make it longer. :)

Also spent some time in Seattle, briefly before I flew back east. Went to Bainbridge Island and visited galleries there- and my favorite quickly became
The Gallery- Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.

And, it's always so peaceful going back and forth to Bainbridge Island on the ferry. I recommend the trip highly. Here's a pic of me on the way back to Seattle.





And to top it all off, I got a free roundtrip ticket on the way home as the plane was full during one of the legs. So, I'm already thinking of when to go back out to WA state again. :)

It was also a wonderful surprise to see these two finished pieces from Barrel Firing #3 at Clayworks. One is my first handbuilding piece, thanks to Elaine's teaching! After putting a little Murphy's Oil Soap on them, some more colors came out. Thanks Becky, Elaine, John, and Minke for including them in the 'Model T' barrel.

Here they are... this pic doesn't show as much color as there really is. Oh well....

These days? I'm awaiting the beginning of the fall class and counting down the days until Barrel Firing #4 in late September.